"If we saw a structure that was unsafe we wouldn't allow traffic to be traveling on it," says Blair Haynie of Texas Department of Transportation.
Cars, vans, tractor tailors, they all travel across these bridges several times a day, putting a lot of wear and tear on them.
Have you ever wondered how safe the bridges are you're passing over?
"No," says Sue Shapcott.
Another traveler, Dennis Moore, says, "Safety wouldn't come in to it. You would presume that someone has done their job properly."
"I really never even think about it unless they look particularly bad, but I haven't seen any around here that look bad," says Megan Guitierrez.
According to Texas Department of Transportation's summary of bridge condition, in the Abilene district there are four bridges that are structurally deficient.
"Those four bridges are over 50 years old and we currently have three of those bridges are currently on schedule to be replaced," says Blair Haynie.
Haynie explains the tern deficient does not mean it is unsafe, it simply means it is being monitored and is in need of maintenance.
"We have a contract where we bring in consultants, people outside the department to come in and inspect the bridges every two years," he adds.
In addition to that TxDOT has maintenance personnel who inspects our state bridges in the off year, so essentially, Abilene bridges are being inspected in some aspect on a yearly basis.
That reassured safety puts drivers at ease.
"You see you don't know until it's too late if you don't inspect them and inspect them properly," says Dennis Moore.
M"Oh yea, it makes me feel better knowing they're inspected," Guitierrez adds.
Cars, vans, tractor tailors, they all travel across these bridges several times a day, putting a lot of wear and tear on them.
Have you ever wondered how safe the bridges are you're passing over?
"No," says Sue Shapcott.
Another traveler, Dennis Moore, says, "Safety wouldn't come in to it. You would presume that someone has done their job properly."
"I really never even think about it unless they look particularly bad, but I haven't seen any around here that look bad," says Megan Guitierrez.
According to Texas Department of Transportation's summary of bridge condition, in the Abilene district there are four bridges that are structurally deficient.
"Those four bridges are over 50 years old and we currently have three of those bridges are currently on schedule to be replaced," says Blair Haynie.
Haynie explains the tern deficient does not mean it is unsafe, it simply means it is being monitored and is in need of maintenance.
"We have a contract where we bring in consultants, people outside the department to come in and inspect the bridges every two years," he adds.
In addition to that TxDOT has maintenance personnel who inspects our state bridges in the off year, so essentially, Abilene bridges are being inspected in some aspect on a yearly basis.
That reassured safety puts drivers at ease.
"You see you don't know until it's too late if you don't inspect them and inspect them properly," says Dennis Moore.
M"Oh yea, it makes me feel better knowing they're inspected," Guitierrez adds.
